Paris Olympics - a comedy of errors? (2024)

A brief look at a few issues undermining the famous flame burning in the 'City of Love'. Has Paris got it right, or is this an unfolding train wreck?

A scene from the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony, reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's “The Last Supper,” has stirred controversy. Christians, who well know the lightning fast reaction from the muslim faith when Islam is blasphemed, are understandably outraged. Moreover, athletes whose chromosomes are XY are competing with those of XX.

And then there are the food and transportation issues.

The depiction above featured drag performers on a Parisian bridge turned catwalk, later shown celebrating a meal with a nearly nude blue-painted man. Some have pointed out their concerns that male genitalia was almost visible.

Different Interpretations

Thomas Jolly, the architect of this controversial spectacle, has released separate, apparently opposing statements on where he drew his inspiration. Initially, he described the scene as interpreting the Greek God Dionysus, intended to highlight the absurdity of human violence.

Later however, for the 'festivities' segment, Jolly was said to have taken inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting to create the scene that has drawn fire from Christians.

Public Reaction

The social media backlash from conservative leaders continues to build and millions are refusing to watch the games. Described broadly as blasphemous, U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson joined the chorus of voices, calling it ‘shocking and insulting to Christians’.The Olympics' social media have doubled down by reiterating the Dionysus interpretation, emphasising its message is against violence.

France, whose own Muslim population is currently at 10% and climbing, have been curiously quiet on the issue. Known for taking vengeance when slighted, most infamously over the Charlie Hebdo drawings where a teacher was beheaded for showing the cartoons in class, by contrast, the Christian community has shown restraint.

Thomas Jolly defends his decision and insists the scene was about Dionysus, the Greek god of celebration and wine, relating to French culture and the Seine's goddess. He aimed to depict a pagan festivity linked to the Olympics.

Many remain unconvinced as the central figure was a tattooed obese woman flanked by men parading as women and cavorting provocatively.

Food issues

Athletes have dietary needs that are not being met according to several olympians that are not getting access to things like chicken or eggs. Those responsible are scrambling to make urgent revisions, some teams are now eating outside the village to meet their needs.

In defence of the French, they made a valiant attempt to source food from within its own country and supply a 20% plant based diet. Athletes however, cannot be blamed for feeling that the efforts to align with green, eco-friendly choices are politically motivated and may impact their physical and mental preparedness. These are at times, compounded by accessibility to their venues.

Transport

Ironically, it was a complaint from an Indian tennis player, who described the hot 45 minute bus transfer as the ‘journey from hell.’ With no air conditioning, players stifled in the heat with ventilation only being made by opening small sliding windows.

Again, there is the feel that politics, e.g. the Green Agenda, is playing a bigger part in these olympics than the actual players.

To their credit, the Indian team have organised a station wagon, mini SUV, two minivans and four more vehicles to alleviate the transport inadequacies. It will be interesting to see if other teams follow suit, certainly the complaints are not limited to food or transport.

‘Female’ athletes. Dubious wins.

An Italian female boxer lost her match by withdrawal to a boxer who is genetically male. Algeria's Imane Khelif, one of two female Olympic boxers disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing gender eligibility tests, is the centre of more unwanted negative Olympic feedback.

Khelif, who identifies as a woman, overwhelmed Italy’s Angela Carini and she stopped fighting after 46 seconds. The frustration Carini feels is echoing around the world and bringing increased focus on what many athletes feel is increasingly an unfair playing field, one that does not respect the presumption of sport being apolitical.

Pundits watching the rising reactions to the Paris games suggest there maybe more controversy yet to come. From the upside down flag raising to the misnaming of the Korean team’s opening ceremony entrance, the Internet is ablaze with plenty of criticism of these games.

A dubious Judo referee’s decision has also drawn criticism after awarding IPPON to Spain’s Francisco Garrigos. His opponent, Nagayama dutifully relaxed his grip when the ref called MATE (wait, a stop order) however Garrigos persisted and continued his choke on Nagayama rendering him unconscious.

Not since 1936 some would argue, has there been a more controversial Olympic games. Some athletes boycotted Hitler’s version of the games to attend what was termed the ‘Popular Olympics’ held here in Spain.

The Nazi agenda of 1936 was evident. It was propelled into many aspects of the games, from the opening ceremony to the propaganda levelled at spectators, the media and even the athletes themselves.

Are we seeing, some 88 years down the track, not so much the athletes boycotting the games, but instead the public? Social media is on fire with people saying they’re refusing to watch it.

The hypocrisy of ostentatiously spending insane amounts of money on adult-only, socio-political agendas, while providing athletes with cardboard box based beds, seems incongruous to many.

How will history judge the Paris games? Only time will tell.